The Fatty Acid Composition of Coconut Oil

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EMILY CREASY Last Updated: Jun 24, 2015

Emily Creasy

Emily Creasy began writing professionally in 2010. As a registered and licensed dietitian her writing focuses on weight loss, disease-specific diets and diet-friendly cooking. She holds a Bachelor of Science in human nutrition, foods and exercise from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in dietetics from James Madison University.

A jar of coconut oil and a halved coconut.Photo Credit xuanhuongho/iStock/Getty Images

Coconut oil is made up of a mixture of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. The oil contains close to 12 g of saturated fat per tablespoon. This makes up nearly 60 percent of your daily recommended saturated fat intake. The American Heart Association states that intake of foods high in saturated fats should be limited. Saturated fat intake can raise cholesterol levels, leading to an increased risk of heart disease. While it is high in saturated fat, coconut oil also contains heart-healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that are important for brain function and overall growth and development.

Coconut Oil Nutrition

Based on data collected by the United States Department of Agriculture, 1 tbsp. of coconut oil provides 117 calories, 13.6 g fat, 0 g carbohydrates and 0 g protein. While the oil is liquid at room temperature, because it is high in saturated fats, coconut oil is nutritionally considered to be a solid fat. Typically, oils contain a greater amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Coconut oil contains over 10 times more saturated than unsaturated fat.

Saturated Fat

Coconut oil contains 11.7 g saturated fat. The saturated fat in coconut oil is made up of seven different types of fatty acids, including caproic, caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic acid. Of the seven types of acid, lauric acid is the most predominant. Coconut oil contains about 6 g of lauric acid, a type of medium-chain fatty acid. Eating foods high in medium-chain fats can cause an increase in low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol levels.

Monounsaturated fat

A tbsp. of coconut oil contains 0.789 g of monounsaturated fat. The monounsaturated fat in coconut oil is made entirely of oleic acid. A study by David Tin Win of Assumption University Bangkok, Thailand reported in 2005 that oleic acid is the main reason for the high anti-cancer benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet. He states that the components in oleic acid may help to offer added protection against breast cancer.

Polyunsaturated Fat

Coconut oil contains 0.245 g of polyunsaturated fat per tablespoon. Linoleic acid is the only fatty acid that makes up the polyunsaturated fat content of coconut oil. Linoleic acid is considered to be an essential fatty acid. The body is unable to make essential fatty acids so it is important to get them from food in order for the body to function properly. Linoleic acid is an omega 6 fatty acid and is important for healthy brain function, skin and hair growth and bone health.